Letter to the Editor: Karuk casino and water supply

Isn’t it ironic that a tribe which wants to take out all of our dams, diminish the water supply to our businesses and communities, decommission forest roads, stop logging and gold dredging, and have removed multiple jobs, now wants to put in a casino that will use quite a bit of water, and there is doubt they will improve the economy that they have destroyed.

Comment

By Nita Still,Yreka

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

By Nita Still,Yreka

Posted Mar. 21, 2014 at 4:00 PM

By Nita Still,Yreka
Posted Mar. 21, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Isn’t it ironic that a tribe which wants to take out all of our dams, diminish the water supply to our businesses and communities, decommission forest roads, stop logging and gold dredging, and have removed multiple jobs, now wants to put in a casino that will use quite a bit of water, and there is doubt they will improve the economy that they have destroyed. Who in this county is helping this process, and for what reason, and is there anyone outside this county, with Siskiyou interests?

The hierarchy of the Karuk Tribe confiscated the Shasta Treaty and reportedly used it to become federally recognized; they have falsely stated they own more territory than they do; they are letting two stakeholders give them instruction on how to do things that are doing great damage to our economy, lives, liberties and properties. We can protest, but that protest will go nowhere with the political corruption in this county as well as from the state and federal governments. A gambling casino is not a virtuous lively-hood.

Apparently the Karuk can build their casino because they have been given permission. Was there a tradeoff given that if they had casino permission they would commit a portion of their revenue from the casino for the dam decommissioning?

In order to establish their casino they will need services, such as police, fire, sewer, water, traffic and etceteras, which are negotiable. In reality, there are no negotiable prices to compensate our lives, liberties, properties and jobs that have been purposely destroyed by the KBRA, KHSA and the many Karuk lawsuits attacking our water supply and dams. Consider the added work, and wages of those who are having these casino services added to their already strained budget. We are also under drought conditions.

All things are tied together and one thing leads to another. Does the BOS really think the Karuk hierarchy has treated our county and all of the residents with respect? Shouldn’t the BOS object to the casino because it is legally on Shasta territory?